A Little House in West London
Dear Soyoung,
I don’t know whether or not you read the comments posted by readers on the Teacher’s Blog each day (I always read yours – they’re fascinating, aren’t they?), but if you do you’ll have read how kind people have been about my little house here in west London. By the way, the pink stuff is by no means all Lucy’s, and pink is probably her least favourite colour. (You should see my pink shoes sometime!)
The Europeans are, as always, fixated on why we have separate taps in our bathrooms. I don’t think I have ever had a European student who hasn’t asked that question but please keep asking it, this is not a criticism. I am privileged that you read the blog and post questions. I love it. Thank you. Oh yes, and I have at least five friends who don’t have separate taps in their bathrooms. You’re right, of course. I know, I know, it’s so much easier – and probably safer – when it comes to getting the temperature right. We do have a mixer tap in the kitchen, however.
There was a nice comment, too, from a reader in Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, Russia. I was there for a few days about 20 years ago, and right now I am reading Dervla Murphy’s new book about travelling on the BAM (Baikal-Amur Mainline) railway, called Silverland (John Murray 2006, ISBN 0 7195 6828 5). Her 2005 book, Through Siberia By Accident (John Murray, 0 7195 6663 0) is a wonderful piece of travel writing. It’s now 27 years, I think, since I travelled from Beijing to Moscow on the (Chinese) Trans-Siberian Express (also passing through Krasnoyarsk). But one of my warmest memories from the later trip is of putting my face into Lake Baikal and drinking – and then not becoming ill! The water was as cold and as sweet as the perfect chilled beer on a hot summer’s day. And then there was that time, about 30 years ago, I was in Nizhny Novgorod, Alex – what a beautiful kremlin it’s got. I’ve still got a small wooden box I bought there. It’s decorated with a hand-painted picture of that fairy-tale kremlin… Sorry, I’m day-dreaming a bit here…
Back to you, Soyoung. I got a bit carried away there. I wasn’t ignoring you. It’s just that it’s a bit frustrating not to be able to answer every single reader’s comments, don’t you agree? Here’s a little fantasy: wouldn’t it be good if you and I could meet up, together with all our readers who’ve posted comments during the month, and have an international party? Just think about it. What would we eat? What sort of music would we choose? Where would be a good place to have such a party? Who else (if anyone) would we invite? How formal would it be? What would you wear?
OK, I said it was just a fantasy. It’s never going to happen, is it? But we can dream. If I won the lottery… Well, that’s never going to happen, either. (Mainly because I never buy a ticket!)
That’s all for today, Soyoung. I’ve got to get my running gear on. It’s now just two weeks before I leave for Tanzania, and I’m not fit enough (it would help if I stopped eating too often and too much).
Have a good day at the office.
Best wishes,
STEPHEN
SOME QUESTIONS
(the answers are at the end of today’s blog)
1. In my first paragraph how should you pronounce the two words in bold text? Are they both pronounced the same? Why/why not?
2. Which word in my first paragraph means ‘very interesting’?
3. Which expression in my first paragraph means ‘not at all’?
4. Which of the following is the best synonym for ‘fixated on’? (a) obsessed with, (b) interested in, (c) stuck to, (d) critical of
5. Which of these is the best definition of mixer tap (second paragraph)? (a) food processor, (b) hot water tap, (c) single tap providing both hot and cold water, (d) cold water tap, (e) shower
6. Can you complete the sentence below with the correct preposition from the list?
I have happy memories ________ my visit to Manchester.
(a) with (b) to (c) by (d) of (e) through
7. Can you find a word in my third paragraph which means ‘cooled’?
8. Which expression in my fourth paragraph means ‘became over-enthusiastic’?
9. Which word in my fourth paragraph means ‘paying no attention to’?
A LITTLE BIT OF GRAMMAR
In English, if you want to ask about something that might or could be possible, you have to use certain kinds of conditional structures. Look again at my fourth paragraph and identify the sentences which ask about what would happen if we were able to meet.
Each of those questions can be extended, like this:
What would we eat if we were to have a party?
What sort of music would we choose if we wanted everyone to enjoy it?
Where would be a good place to have such a party if we were able to do it?
Who else would we invite if we wanted more guests?
How formal would it be (if we had this party)?
What would you wear if you went to this party?
Practise writing more conditional questions like these. For example, you could ask me about the kinds of things I would like to do if I visited Korea. Use the following question words: ‘what’, ‘where, ‘who’, ‘when’, ‘how’.
LOOK AGAIN
Look again at your original version of the passages I have corrected and re-written below. Make sure you focus on the differences between the two versions and that you understand the errors I’ve corrected. Check any new words in a good dictionary and any grammatical queries in a good bi-lingual grammar reference book.
I’m going to see the movie, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, tomorrow. Have you seen it? Tomorrow is the last day it will be on. Do you read the reviews before you decide to see a film?
The weather has changed and become very cold – around minus 5 – during the evening. It will be much colder tomorrow. I guess I should wear lots of clothes to keep warm.
It’s the last day of January and I remember my New Year’s resolution to learn the guitar. I’m starting in a fortnight and I’m very excited about it.
NOTE: The title of the Borat movie is in deliberately incorrect English. That is part of the irony of the movie. Please don’t worry if you think the title is in ungrammatical English. It is. It’s meant to be.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
There are quite a few grammatical and structural errors in your third and fourth paragraphs. Tomorrow, Syoung, could you give us a list of the official names of the main political parties? If you have time, could you look again at your third and fourth paragraphs and perhaps include a little bit more information about the election tomorrow?
For the benefit of your many, many readers, I’ve summarised your third and fourth paragraphs, below. I am not absolutely sure I’ve included all the information you wanted to include. Perhaps you could say a little more about all of this tomorrow. And do you have any photographs of political posters or leaflets, badges or logos from the different parties? Any chance you could post one or two so we can see what Korean political material looks like?
We will have a Presidential Election at the end of the year. A few candidates have already started campaigning. The governing (?) party has almost been destroyed by differences between the President and the government (members of the party). The main Korean political parties are reinventing themselves for the election. However, most people believe that the parties only change so they will be elected, not because their policies have changed.
It is not clear which candidate will emerge as the winner. Candidates have to win their party’s nomination first. Then they will be the Presidential candidate from that party.
CHECK THESE ERRORS
fine (not ‘find’), about the weather
nonsense (not ‘non-sense’)
readers’ (not ‘reader’s’)
Korea (not ‘Korean’, second paragraph)
reviews (not ‘critical columns’)
excited (not ‘exciting’)
ANSWERS: 1. /reed/ and /red/. The first is in the present tense and the second is in the (future) present perfect. 2. ‘fascinating’ 3. ‘by no means’ 4. (a) 5. (c) 6. (d) 7. ‘chilled’ 8. ‘got a bit carried away’ 9. ‘ignoring’
Comments
How Stephen, I wouldn't mind if you could add me to your imaginary party list! I would contribute with some caipirinha, a special Brazilian booze with pinga, sugar, lemon and ice. I would also be pleased to offer you feijoada, a typical dish that we inherited from the Africans. We usually have it on Saturdays it consists of black beans and a variety of pork parts. Well, unlike you I always bUy the lottery tickets, so if by any chance I'm the lucky one, I promise I'll make your dream come true!!! The biggest issue is where would we hold the party??? How much I envy you, I would actually love to be a globe-trotter like you. Talking about travel books, there is one which is also a wonderful piece of writing by Heather Wood called Third-class Ticket.It's worth reading it. Well love Monica PS By the way, I loved the pictures of your home. You do have a good taste.
Hi,Stephen I'v been dreaming like you,wishing to meet all the readers, teachers and the team who produce these programs(I mean the BBC world sercive)one day . I just imagine that there would be many and various food which come from all over the world.the party goers would get dressed in traditional clothes and bring some traditional alcohol for the party.conversation would never dry up and the atmosphere would be full with excitement and happiness.oh,Stephen Don't say it will not happen.Who knows I might win the lottory as I buy a ticket sometimes. If it happens to me I will invite as many friends as I can to have a big party. You have my word.Have a good day!
Hello Stephen. I really enjoy reading your blog and also Soyung blog´s. It helps me a lot. For instance, today I learned that we read reviews and not critical columns about films. Thank you. Regards.
Hi Stephen, I've been reading your blog since when you started in December i guess and 'the BBC teacher blogger' since August. It is the first time I am writing here and I have no idea why I never had written 'on comments' before. Perhaps a little of laziness (laughs). I have noticed you and Lucy go out to eat in restaurants very often. In London, are they cheaps? I am asking you because in Brazil, they are really expensive and it is not normal, except for the rich people or even when there is a special event in your life (slap up meal). Have you ever asked to Lucy what does she want to be? lawyer/doctor/enginner or teacher like you? (laughs). In your blog on Thursday, 25 January 2007, you wrote about taking notes of new words, grammar points, phrasal verbs and so on. I've been doing this for a long time, but there's one problem, I have many notes of English grammar that it's really difficult to 'keep in mind', I am always reading even for 15 minutes a day. Whether I had not been reading it often, probably I would forget it. 'A LOVE STORY' by Lee Soyoung, I think she is not alone, I have a friend of mine who had almost the same 'love story' as Soyoung. Have a nice day !! See you. !!
Hi, Stephen, I know tomorrow I will read your last blog. I become depressed. Whatever, I wish you all the best! So you mean pink is your favourite colour, isn’t it? How interesting! Your third paragraph is a bit difficult for me to read. I think I should read again and again. If you and Soyoung have an international party in the future, please do invite me! No matter where you would choose the place, I want to go there, I want to meet you and Soyoung and all the blog readers around the world. According to your GRAMMAR section, my questions I want to ask if you visited China again are as follows: What would you want to eat eagerly if you visited China again? Beijing duck? Where would you want to pay a visit first if you came to Beijing? The Forbidden City? The Summer Palace? The Temple of Heaven? The Great Wall? Or some other places? Who would you want to meet in Beijing? Do you have some close friends here? When… I can’t think a question with this word. So, another question is, when will you come back from Kilimanjaro, when can we read your blogs again? How would you arrange your journey in Beijing? Could you answer these questions if you have any time? I know you are busy, just ignore the questions. I just want to leave my comments on your penultimate blog. I just want you know I read your blogs everyday and I do like them. You’re the best English teacher I’ve ever seen. It’s true. Believe me! Wish you and Lucy all the best!
The questions were more difficult. Surprisingly, I've chosen the correct answer for all. I am a little confused about the tense of your phrase in the first paragraph: " if you do you’ll have read how kind people have been...". If you like our questions, I will ask one not easy to answer: " If someone gives you 21 bottles of french wine and you have to share with 2 more friends in iqual parts of bottles and wine, how would you do? Details: 7 of them are full, 7 are filled until the half and 7 are empty. Of course you can't open the bottles to divide the liquid." It's not a trick question. It's math. It's from a funny book I'm reading. The name is "O Homem que Calculava" in portuguese but there is a version in english. The author is Malba Tahan wich is a nickname of a brazilian teacher of math named Julio Cesar de Melo e Souza who is fixated on arabic culture. If you want I can post the answer on the next comment. I think you would choose Russia for the international party. You seem to be fascinated to this country. If you want to be fit for the trip very soon, you should try spinning. It's exciting. And finally, about your home. Yes we all agree that it is a charmer house. Where is the picture of your pinkk shoes and your room?
Hi Stephen, as ever your blogs are really very interesting and I think that is the best way to learn english with a smile. Everyday, I can't wait to read your daily blog, they are so funny and serious at the same time. Thank you very much, I think I'll miss you. Good luck in Tanzania
Hello, Stephen, missing my comments? I am sorry, I was away so could not read your last blogs. Don’t be disheartened I have read them all. Believe me (happy now?). I have also seen your “Home Sweet Home”. Lucy is looking gorgeous working on laptop in her room but where is her father pretending to be “not at home”? (How silly I am he was taking photographs). Please remove the big plant from the bathroom top as the smaller one is more than enough for the space. Keep the big one in some corner of the house (who am I to interfere with your decoration). The lights in the living room are dull and creating a depressive effect (very unkind remarks unlike other readers?). No, don’t give excuses that you forgot to put on lights while taking the photographs. The view outside the kitchen window looked more beautiful (as I presumed) than the kitchen itself (too critical). The part of the dinning room, with pictures from China is lovely. What should I say about your treasure? It is good and precious, keep on collecting the things from all over the world and make a small world of your own but Stephen let me know how do you keep all these things clean (don’t be mad. It’s Okay)? So, you have two more shots in both arms and felt nothing (this is bad; at least you should have felt some pain). Your student is presently not responding to your blogs as she used to do in the past (how frustrating) but you have great nerves to encourage her to write whatever she wants to. You are really a good teacher and an excellent writer, which I admire more. Do you like bargaining while doing shopping? I suppose your dream party is over now, so wake up and get ready for the trip to Tanzania but Stephen how could you wake up if you did not sleep (as you have no bedroom in your house). Take care. Farida
Dear STEPHEN : I am feeling sad as you are leaving the BBC teacher blog in only one day. Our English learners benefited lot from your post for the two months.You are the most responsible and diligent teacher i have ever seen in BBC blog.both Soyoung and Federico are so lucky during the two month. All the best to you and your lovely daughter!
Hi Stephen, What do you think about the film Venus?. It is good? By theway I quite like Peter O'Tool. Maybe Lucy can tell us if some of Velazquez paintings in the National Art Gallery are fake?? cheers, T.
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